Change settings for ripping music

You can use Windows Media Player to rip (or copy) tracks from your audio CDs onto your computer. After you rip the tracks, they become files on your computer. There are a number of settings that you can customize to make ripping work better for you.

Ripping a music CD

There are two ways to change rip settings while in the Player Library. You can insert a CD into your CD drive and click Rip settings, or you can click the Rip Music tab in the Options dialog box. The Rip Music tab in the Options dialog box offers additional options that aren't available on the Rip settings menu.

MP3. This format is older than the Windows Media Audio format and is supported by most media devices.

WAV (Lossless). This format produces very large, uncompressed files.

Note

Your selections apply to tracks you rip in the future; it's not possible to use the Player to change the format of a track you've already ripped. If you're not sure which format works best for you, try ripping to different formats and quality settings and then listen to the different tracks to help you decide.

Audio Quality. You can adjust the compression quality used while you rip tracks. Choose a quality setting that represents the best balance between the quality and the file size that you want. If you're not sure what setting to use, try ripping to different formats and bit rates, and then play the files. Note that you can't adjust the quality if you have selected a lossless format, such as Windows Media Audio Lossless or WAV (Lossless).

Rip CD automatically. If you select this option, ripping immediately begins when you insert a CD. You aren't prompted to confirm your rip music settings, all tracks are selected, and ripping will begin whether or not you have an Internet connection. If no media information is found during the ripping process, the Player advises you to manually enter media information after ripping is complete.

Eject CD after ripping. If you want to rip several CDs in succession, you can select this check box, in addition to selecting Rip CD automatically.

More options. This opens the Options dialog box to see additional settings.

If the Player is currently open and you’re in Now Playing mode, click the Switch to Library button in the upper-right corner of the Player.

In the Player Library, click Organize, and then click Options.

Click the Rip Music tab.

Make one or more of the following changes:

Rip music to this location. Click this option and then click Change if you want to store ripped files in a different folder.

File Name. Click this option if you want to use a different naming convention for ripped files. For information about how to apply changes to the naming convention or storage folder of previously ripped files, see Rip music: frequently asked questions.

Format. If you want to change the format for the files that are created during the ripping process, choose a format. The default format is Windows Media Audio. Other available options are:

Windows Media Audio Pro. This format supports a broad range of uses, from full-resolution, multi-channel audio for surround sound systems to highly efficient audio compression at low bit rates for portable devices. Not all devices support this format.

Windows Media Audio (Variable Bit Rate). This format can reduce the file size, but it might also take longer to rip a track.

Windows Media Audio Lossless. This format provides the best audio quality, but it increases the file size.

MP3. This option is older than the Windows Media Audio format and is supported by most media devices.

WAV (Lossless). This format is an uncompressed format that produces very large files.

Your selections apply to tracks you rip in the future; you can't use the Player to change the format of a track you've already ripped. If you're not sure which format works best for you, try ripping to different formats and quality settings and then listen to the different tracks to help you decide.

Copy protect music. Select this option if you want ripped files to be protected with media usage rights. For more information about copy protection, see Rip music: frequently asked questions.

Rip CD automatically. If you select this option, ripping immediately begins when you insert a CD. You aren't prompted to confirm your rip music settings, all tracks are selected for ripping, and ripping begins regardless of whether or not you have a connection to the Internet to get media information. If no media information is found during the ripping process, the Player advises you to manually enter media information after ripping is complete.

Eject CD after ripping. If you want to rip several CDs in succession, you can select this check box, in addition to selecting Rip CD automatically.

Audio quality. You can adjust the compression quality used while ripping tracks. Choose a quality setting that represents the best balance between quality and file size for your needs. If you aren't sure what setting to use, try ripping to different formats and bit rates, and then playing the files. Note that you can't adjust the quality if you've selected a lossless format, such as Windows Media Audio Lossless or WAV (Lossless).

Note

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of copyrighted material may be a violation of copyright law in the United States and/or other countries/regions. Copyrighted material includes, but is not limited to, software, documentation, graphics, lyrics, photographs, clipart, animations, movie and video clips, as well as sound and music (including when MP3 encoded). Violation of U.S. and international copyright laws may subject you to significant civil and/or criminal penalties.

You can use Windows Media Player to rip (or copy) the tracks from your audio CDs onto your computer, after which the tracks that you rip become files on your computer. There are a number of settings you can customize to make ripping work better for you.

Click the arrow below the Rip tab, and then click More Options.

Make one or more of the following changes:

Location. Click Change if you want to store ripped files in a different folder on your computer.

File Name. Click if you want to use a different naming convention for ripped files. For information about how to apply changes to the naming convention or storage folder to files you had previously ripped, see Rip music: frequently asked questions.

Format. Choose a format for the files that are created during ripping. The default format is Windows Media Audio, which optimizes the balance between file size and sound quality and is supported by certain compatible devices. For a list of compatible devices, see Windows 7 Compatibility Center. Other available options are:

Windows Media Audio Pro, which is designed to be used in low storage capacity portable devices, such as mobile phones, where the increased efficiencies of the format improve the audio quality at lower bit rates. Note that not all devices support this format.

Windows Media Audio (Variable Bit Rate), which can reduce the file size but may also take longer to rip.

Windows Media Audio Lossless, which provides the best audio quality but increases the file size.

MP3 and WAV (Lossless), which provide added flexibility.

Your selections apply to tracks you rip in the future; it is not possible to use the Player to change the format of a track you already ripped. If you are not sure which format works best for your needs, you can try ripping to different formats and quality settings and listen to the differences to help you decide.

Copy protect music. Select this option if you want ripped files to be protected with media usage rights. For more information about copy protection, see Rip music: frequently asked questions.

Rip CD when inserted. If you select this option, you can choose either the option Only when in the Rip tab to have ripping automatically begin after inserting a CD only when you go to the Rip tab or Always to have ripping begin immediately upon inserting a CD. Note that with this feature turned on, you are not prompted to confirm your rip music settings, all tracks are selected for ripping, and that ripping will begin regardless of whether or not you have a connection to the Internet to get media information. If no media information was found during the ripping process, the Player will advise you to manually enter media information after ripping has completed.

These settings are also available by clicking the arrow below the Rip tab, pointing to Rip CD Automatically When Inserted, and then making your selection from the menu.

Eject CD when ripping is complete. Selecting this check box, in addition to Rip CD when inserted, is useful if you want to rip several CDs in succession.

Audio quality. You can adjust the compression quality used during ripping. Choose a quality setting that represents the best balance between quality and file size for your needs. If you are not sure what setting to use, try ripping to different formats and bit rates and then play the files. Note that it is not possible to adjust the quality if you have selected a lossless format.

Note

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of copyrighted material may be a violation of copyright law in the United States and/or other countries/regions. Copyrighted material includes, but is not limited to, software, documentation, graphics, lyrics, photographs, clipart, animations, movie and video clips, as well as sound and music (including when MP3 encoded). Violation of U.S. and international copyright laws may subject you to significant civil and/or criminal penalties.